Uncle Ken Jones: Pangula Mannamurna Community Male Elder of the Year (2019)

In 2019, Boandik Elder Uncle Ken Jones was named Male Elder of the Year for the Pangula Mannamurna community, a heartfelt recognition of his lifelong contribution to cultural education, environmental stewardship, and healing work on Country.

This award was not simply a personal honour. It was a reflection of the intergenerational ripple effect Uncle Ken creates through his Bush Adventures experiences, school sessions, cultural tours, conservation programs, and storytelling. His work has inspired thousands of students, teachers, families, and fellow Elders to see the land, sea, and sky through Boandik eyes.

As a knowledge keeper and teacher, Uncle Ken’s leadership lies in his ability to connect past and present, helping people understand how caring for Country is a cultural and personal responsibility.

Whether it's teaching kids how to identify medicinal plants, guiding tourists through fossilised forests, or helping councils embed cultural awareness into their planning, Uncle Ken brings wisdom, humour, and deep listening into every interaction.

While formal awards are meaningful, it's Ken’s daily actions that build his legacy:

• Taking families canoeing down the Glenelg River while sharing ancestral stories.

• Teaching about “slow time,” encouraging people to move through Country with care.

• Instructing youth in traditional bush survival skills, not just as recreation, but as cultural restoration.

• Writing books, developing educational programs, and mentoring other guides.

•  Participating in healing initiatives through Pangula Mannamurna Aboriginal Health, recognising the link between mental, cultural, and ecological wellness.

It is this combination of cultural integrity and community impact that led to Uncle Ken’s selection as Male Elder of the Year in 2019, and why that honour continues to echo today.

See more: Male Elder of the Year 2019 – Bush Adventures Facebook